A member of the Gradient Financial Group family of companies
At Gradient Investments, LLC, our innovative approach to investing is focused on understanding our clients and providing personalized investment solutions. We believe that client access to our investment professionals is an invaluable service that is rare in the financial services industry.
Gradient Investments
Who We Are
Gradient Investments is an independent, privately-owned, fee-based, SEC-registered investment advisor that provides professional money management services. We serve individuals, employer-sponsored pension plans, foundations, endowments and corporations primarily through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options and separately managed accounts.
Investment Philosophy
We actively manage accounts through our proprietary Wright Investment Strategy, which is based on the principles of flight. The Wright brothers conquered this challenge by developing a scientific 3-Axis Control System that is still used today on fixed-wing aircrafts. We address investment challenges through a parallel 3-Axis Control System.
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Active risk management is the foundation of our investment process. Risk exposure is defined as the potential deviation from an expected outcome. Standard deviation is used to measure the volatility of an investment. Higher standard deviation of an investment results in greater relative risk (and possible reward) due to uncertainty in the amount of return within the portfolio. Our approach to risk exposure minimizes standard deviation, and our risk management strategy helps to ensure assets are actively monitored and balanced based on investors’ desired risk profiles.
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Investment strategy is defined as a set of rules, behaviors or procedures that guide investors to select appropriate investment portfolios. Our tailored investment strategy is designed around personal risk tolerances, and our investment selection process within our proprietary model portfolios is client-focused. Unlike other investment managers who offer the same portfolio to every potential client, we take a different approach. Rather than forcing investors into arbitrary categories, we build portfolios tailored to their individual objectives, risk tolerances and time horizons.
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Investment performance is defined as the rate of return on an investment portfolio (given investors' unique risk profiles). We measure investment performance against their goals and objectives. Our disciplined investment approach is shaped by a long-term investment focus, thorough due diligence, and a belief that broad diversification across and within asset classes is essential for long-term success. Our portfolios are designed to yield higher annual returns and less volatility relative to their respective benchmarks. Our Investment Performance Axis uses calculated charting, sophisticated performance reporting, and our proprietary investment tool, Portfolio Pilot. This invaluable tool provides the opportunity to visualize the relationship between risk (standard deviation) and reward (return).
Experience On Your Side
We built our dedicated investment team around seasoned investment professionals: our portfolio managers provide decades of institutional investment experience and have a deep working knowledge of the individual client market. Whether your investment goal is preserving principal, maximizing income or accumulating capital, our investment team has a carefully designed strategy to help you achieve your long-term investment goals.
GI In The Media
Our investment team is regularly featured in the national media in print and on television. Some recent appearances include CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg, and the Wall Street Journal.
Market Commentary
Investing can be a challenging yet rewarding process. Information changes rapidly which is why it is so important to stay informed. Please enjoy our latest market commentary and reflections.
Weekly Talking Points
Weekly Talking Points
The Fed Cut, Now What?
Bi-Weekly Market Reflections
Is Goldilocks Finding Her Bed?
Monthly Market Commentary
Fed Cuts and Markets
Monthly Investment Insight Videos
GI Quarterly Economic Review & Market Outlook: October 2024
Quarterly Economic Review and Outlook Videos
Investment Strategies
Our investment selection process within our proprietary model portfolios is client focused. We build a portfolio tailored to your unique objectives, risk tolerances and time horizons. Watch the videos to learn more about our proprietary model portfolios.
Portfolio Analysis Review
Our proprietary Portfolio Analysis Review (PAR) process gives you a detailed breakdown and thorough written analysis of your entire investment portfolio. The PAR process combines powerful third-party statistics with a simple, easy-to-read report so you can truly understand the possible risks and rewards of your current investment portfolio.
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A client gathers and provides financial statements to you along with a completed Color of Money Risk Analysis.
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Our investment team, along with Case Central’s team of CFPs, will conduct a comprehensive Portfolio Analysis Review on your clients current holdings. This includes the following areas of analysis: Morningstar Rating (1-5 Stars), Fees and Expenses (loads and internal fees), Performance (1, 3, 5, 10 years), Risk Exposure (as measured by standard deviation), Allocation and Diversification.
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The Allocation Roadmap™ provides a unique overview of your proposed client asset allocation. The goal is to customize an overall financial strategy better tailored to your risk tolerance, investment objectives and time horizon. This powerful tool is meant to give you a general forecast of what you may expect long-term from this proposed allocation from a risk and reward standpoint. This proprietary tool allows you to analyze multiple investment strategies tailored to your risk tolerance, time horizon, investment objectives and income needs.
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Once the Morningstar Report and Allocation Roadmap™ are completed, we create a Compass Report to cap-off your financial analysis. Our Compass report uses prudent forecasts to illustrate how your income and portfolio balances will move overtime.
The Proprietary Client Investment Process
The ultimate goal of this process is to bring your client’s investments in line with both their risk tolerance and their ever-evolving financial goals. Utilizing an Account Summary, Portfolio Analysis Process, Allocation Roadmap™ and Compass Report, we work with you to develop a financial plan for your clients’ that truly works in concert to help them meet their long-term financial goals.